Moratti offers Ronaldo return - 19 Mar 2006
Internazionale owner Massimo Moratti has opened the way for a possible return to the Serie A club by Real Madrid striker Ronaldo.
The former World Player of the Year sparked transfer speculation last month when he said he felt unloved by Real's fans, and Moratti has fuelled that fire by publicly stating he would welcome a move for the Brazilian.
"If he is strong, athletically and mentally, and we believe he can play well with (striker) Adriano, we will think about it," Moratti told Gazzetta dello Sport.
Ronaldo played for Inter for five years before joining the Spanish giants in 2002 under a cloud of controversy.
Inter fans accused the forward of walking out on the club that had stood by him for two years while he recovered from a serious knee injury suffered against Lazio in April 2000. Since then, fans have unfurled banners warning Ronaldo to stay away from Milan.
Moratti then ruled out a move for the striker but has recently adopted a softer line.
"It's a practical and sporting question, not an emotional one," he said.
"Besides, I'm not a man that holds a grudge and I've always liked Ronaldo personally. I've never forgotten the past.
"He was enormously successful as an image for our club. With him on the pitch we won the Uefa Cup and twice came close to winning the Serie A title."
If Ronaldo decides to leave Real, then Inter face competition from a number of clubs including Brazilian club Flamengo, and city rivals Milan, with Rossoneri vice president Adriano Galliani claiming last month that "the doors were open" for him to join.
Internazionale owner Massimo Moratti has opened the way for a possible return to the Serie A club by Real Madrid striker Ronaldo.
The former World Player of the Year sparked transfer speculation last month when he said he felt unloved by Real's fans, and Moratti has fuelled that fire by publicly stating he would welcome a move for the Brazilian.
"If he is strong, athletically and mentally, and we believe he can play well with (striker) Adriano, we will think about it," Moratti told Gazzetta dello Sport.
Ronaldo played for Inter for five years before joining the Spanish giants in 2002 under a cloud of controversy.
Inter fans accused the forward of walking out on the club that had stood by him for two years while he recovered from a serious knee injury suffered against Lazio in April 2000. Since then, fans have unfurled banners warning Ronaldo to stay away from Milan.
Moratti then ruled out a move for the striker but has recently adopted a softer line.
"It's a practical and sporting question, not an emotional one," he said.
"Besides, I'm not a man that holds a grudge and I've always liked Ronaldo personally. I've never forgotten the past.
"He was enormously successful as an image for our club. With him on the pitch we won the Uefa Cup and twice came close to winning the Serie A title."
If Ronaldo decides to leave Real, then Inter face competition from a number of clubs including Brazilian club Flamengo, and city rivals Milan, with Rossoneri vice president Adriano Galliani claiming last month that "the doors were open" for him to join.
